Kozhikode: This year, Haj pilgrims from Kerala will set out on their journey on May 21. Three airports in Kerala will serve as the embarkation locations for Haj flights: Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kochi. On May 21, at 12.05 a.m., the first Haj flight from Kerala will take off from Kozhikode airport.
The first flight, Air India Express flight IX-3011, carrying 166 pilgrims, is scheduled to depart for Jeddah. Up to 59 flights from Kozhikode, each with 166 people, have been scheduled. On the same day, the second and third flights will take off at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. At 3.50 am, the first plane will arrive in Jeddah. May 26 marks the maiden Haj flight from Kochi. On June 1, Haj pilgrims will set out from Kannur.
The State Haj Committee has announced that the greatest number of pilgrims ever will leave Kerala for the Haj this year. 10,430 pilgrims from Karipur, 4,273 from Kochi, and 3,135 from Kannur are expected to travel. Through the State Haj Committee, up to 45 pilgrims will go from Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai. Hajis flights are operated by Air India Express from Kozhikode airport and by Saudi Airlines from Kochi and Kannur, two additional embarkation sites. “All flight services till June 9 are bound to Jeddah. Necessary additional schedules will also be arranged for those on the waiting list. The return journey of the pilgrims from Madinah begins on July 1,” said an official with the State Haj Committee.
At the Karipur Haj Camp, elaborate preparations are underway to welcome and send the pilgrims on their journey. For this reason, an organising committee has already been established. The last stages of work are being completed on the Haj House's facilities, including the pandal.
“The main building of the Haj House and the women’s block inaugurated last year have made functional to receive the pilgrims. All necessary facilities have also been arranged for the pilgrims in the airport. More counters will be set up to speed up the immigration process for Hajis. Hajis should reach the Haj camp after directly reaching the airport and handing over their luggage at the Air India Express counter,” the official added.
A meeting of the relevant departments was recently convened at the Hajj House, chaired by District Collector V R Vinod, who is also the executive officer of the State Hajj Committee, with the aim of assuring facilities at the Haj camp in Karipur.
Attending the conference were representatives from several departments, including the Airport, Immigration, Customs, CISF, Air India Express, Health, Police, Fire Force, PRD, Railways, KSRTC, RTO, KSEB, Water Authority, BSNL, PWD Roads, and Civil Supplies. Participants in the online meeting included Mini Antony, Secretary of the State Minority Welfare Department, and representatives from the district administrations of Kannur and Ernakulam.